Heart Dance with raised hands

Inspired by Sufism

Heart Dance

Circle dances to open the heart

The Universal Heart Dances are inspired by the work of Murshid Samuel Lewis (1896–1971), an American Sufi and Zen Master.

In the late 1960’s, he created over 50 circle dances as a spiritual practise to open the heart and “finding God within through experience”. The circle dances are simple, meditative, joyful and easy to learn, using sacred chants and movements from many spiritual traditions.

In the Open Sky Community the dances are part of our spiritual practice and remind us that life is nothing but a joyful, energetic dance.

In the recent Invierno Retreat John David introduced 4 variations of the Heart Dances.

Murshid Samuel Lewis
Murshid Samuel Lewis
Murshid Samuel Lewis

Heart Dances at Open Sky House

Kalama

01

Lyrics

La Illaha Ilallaha
La ilaha illalla hu
La ilaha illalla

There is no deity but Allah

Chords

  • C
  • F
  • G

Choreography

  1. Holding hands
  2. 8 steps to center, arms slowly up
  3. 8 steps back, ending in a bow
  4. 8 steps turning clockwise
  5. 8 steps turning counter clockwise
  6. Holding shoulders: 16 steps to the right
  7. Turning 90 degrees
  8. 16 steps continuing in the same direction

Allah Humma

02

Lyrics

Allah
Allah Humma Allah
Ijalfi – Qalbi Noora

O Allah! Make light in my heart.

Chords

  • D
  • Cm – D

Choreography

  1. 10 steps („Allah Humma“) to center, slowly lifting up the arms
  2. 6 steps („Ijalfi“) backwards, arms slowly to the heart
  3. 8× steps R L L R, holding hands
  4. 10 steps to the right, holding hands, left hand on the heart
  5. 6 steps turning clockwise, arms up, bow down
  6. 10 steps to the left, holding hands, right hand on the heart
  7. 6 steps turning counter clockwise, arms up, bow down

La Illaha

03

Lyrics

La Illah Illaha 4×
La Illa ha Illala hu –
La Illa ha Illala 2×

Chords

  • Am – Em
  • Am – F – Em

Choreography

  1. Holding hands: 7 steps to the right, kick
  2. 7 steps to the left, kick
  3. 4 steps to center, right arm to the front
  4. 4 more steps, left arm to the front, bow down
  5. 8 steps walk back, arms up
  6. Holding hands: 7 steps to the right, kick
  7. 7 steps to the left, kick
  8. Couples: hold hands against each other, turn around
  9. Hold hands against each other, pass one another to a new neighbor

Ishq' Allah Mabudhlillah

04

Lyrics

Ishq' Allah Mabudhlillah
Allah, Allah
La Ilaha el il, Allah Hu
Allah Allah

God is love and God is the beloved.

Chords

  • Dm – C
  • B – C – Dm

Choreography

  1. 4 steps to center with arms front: right, left, down right, left
  2. Hands on the heart, arms up
  3. 4 steps back with arms front: right, left, down right, left
  4. Holding hands, 4 steps to the right, turn clockwise, bow down
  5. Free dance
  6. Holding hands, 4 steps to the left, turn counter clockwise, bow down
  7. Free dance